All of us that ride horses know about the three main gaits, and how to ride each of them. But how often do we actually think about the gaits, and how our riding influences them? It may be second nature to us now, but it warrants some further thought, in order to maximise our effectiveness in the saddle.
First of all, let’s look at the difference between a gait and a pace - a gait is a type of movement, or a ‘way of going’, e.g. walk, trot and canter, while the pace is more about the speed within the gait - e.g. collected or medium walk. Within a gait, we can break it down to the footfall sequence, the beat, the stride, and any moments of suspension.
Walk
Walk is a four beat gait with the footfalls following one another - so, inside hind, inside fore, outside hind, outside fore. At the walk, the horse will always have one foot raised, although each horse’s way of going differs slightly, notably by breed. So, what should we be doing as a rider in walk? Whatever your discipline you will be seeking a forward-going walk, so the horse is ‘marching’ out.
If the rider is ‘nagging’ with their legs and frequently asking the horse to walk on, their position may be compromised, and the horse isn’t really attentive. You should be using a definite squeeze with the lower leg backed up with a tap of your whip, if required. You should be sitting tall and absorbing the movement through your hips and pelvis, with the weight down into your stirrups. The horse is moving its head forwards and backwards, and you should be ‘giving’ in the contact, to allow for this movement. When walking downhill, this is a good time to really focus on the horse’s movement, as it is exaggerated - can you feel the movement through your hips and lower back - are you mobilising with the horse?
Trot
Trot is a two beat gait where diagonal leg of pairs move simultaneously, followed by a moment of suspension. If you’re in rising trot, you are sitting and then rising with each diagonal pair. Are your hips moving upwards and forwards, with a thrusting motion, rather than a directly ‘up and down’ movement? Try to keep the lower leg still, to aid a rhythmical rising motion, and sit on the correct diagonal, eg. sitting as the inside hind leg and outside fore hit the ground. In sitting trot, remember that a braced back and less flexible pelvis leads to a stilted movement, so try to mobilise your lower back! Work without stirrups helps.
Canter
This three-time gait involves the hind leg striking off, followed by the inside hind and outside fore together as a pair, then the inside fore, followed by a moment of suspension. Canter is easier to sit to than trot, for most people - let your upper body remain in neutral, e.g. still and balanced, and allow your hips and pelvis to swing - your core will be supporting your upper body. The muscles moving and supporting your hip joints must remain relaxed and flexible, so they can absorb the horse's own hip and pelvis movements. Try not to hollow your back! This can ‘drive’ the canter forward unintentionally.
Remember, when the rider is comfortable within the saddle, they can move more easily with the horse’s gait. Bear in mind also that a good sports bra is essential, in order to both carry and open the shoulders!
Derriere Equestrian Sponsored Rider Daisy Berkeley is an event rider and alumni of British teams, including the 2008 Olympics, where the Brits placed third. Daisy’s top results in 2016 included a top fifteen placing in the three star class at Bramham with ‘Strike Smartly’, and a second place at Houghton with ‘Ballinteskin Cooper S’ in the one star CCI. Daisy is an experienced eventer with top rides having included Springbok and Spring Along. She has a promising string of youngsters that she is currently producing.
“Derriere underwear is fabulous; discreet and very comfortable,” Daisy says. “The breeches are extremely smart and very flattering. Excitingly, I have started to get into yoga. When I heard that Mark Todd is quite a follower, and remains supple at his age, I thought I would give it a go! It has made a great difference to my core strength, balance and flexibility. When I combine this with my wonderful Derriere clothing, I hope to have that edge we are all looking for, so roll on next season!”
Team Derriere Equestrian are behind Daisy all the way for the 2017 season and wish her every success.
Empowering Riders To Feel Confident, Comfortable, Stylish and Healthy in their Sporting Underwear
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